Washington, February 27 (QNA) - Institutions specialized in energy affairs commended the outcome of the 6th Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit, which was held in Doha last week, which underlined the importance of promoting natural gas as an abundant, affordable, clean, and reliable source of energy, and as the fuel of choice to satisfy the growing world energy needs, and to address climate change and improve air quality.
"The ongoing European energy trilemma and challenges provides a golden opportunity for African gas producers to develop a robust, bankable gas strategy to cater for motherland Africa and our European friends energy demand," Abdur-Rasheed Tunde Omidiya, President of the African Energy Chamber for Nigeria and West Africa, told Rigzone, an energy publication.
"I believe Africa can leverage current trends to attract much-needed investment to develop the infrastructure needed to accelerate production for regional consumption and exportation," he said.
According to Rigzone, Algeria and Niger are planning a 2,565-mile Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline through three African countries into Europe. Those
might expect more investment given the crisis in gas deliveries to Europe.
The "Middle East Monitor" reported about the forum that Iraq's Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail said his country is aiming to become self-sufficient by 2025. "Iraq is seeking to invest in gas extraction from the Western Desert, with the aim to reach self-sufficiency by 2025," he said.
The Iraqi Oil Minister added that his country was increasing "its capabilities to export liquefied petroleum gas, and accelerate programs to use gas in electric power production instead of liquid fuel."
"Gas from the field would be consumed in Iraq and help the country use less oil to produce electricity," Jabbar said.
Middle East Monitor also reported remarks by HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, that the State of Qatar has a major role in supplying energy and gas to Europe by up to 40%, and there is no other country that does this, and the state has clear contracts. HE Al Kaabi underlined that Qatar wants to meet EU demands for additional LNG supplies, but most of its exports are already tied to long-term contracts. "Qatar is very clear about the sanctity of contracts. We are known for being tough and abiding by contracts in good times and bad," HE said.
HE the Minister of State noted the desire to help the European Union by providing additional quantities within the limits of the available quantities of existing gas, adding: "We will help, but most of our LNG is tied to long-term contracts. I spoke with the European Union Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, a few weeks ago about more supplies."
HE Al Kaabi added that no country can replace Russia, as only about 10-15% of LNG contracts can be transferred to other places.
In the same context, the publication "Modern Diplomacy" reported: "Some market institutions remain skeptical towards the impact of the conflicts. Barclays Bank believes that EU gas inventories will be near record lows by the end of the winter, and Russia is unlikely to cut off gas supplies to Europe. (QNA)